A Rare Nativity Book Review

I'm sure you are familiar with the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas".  It's a song that is fun to sing and usually leaves you breathless at the end. :)

A Rare Nativity by Sam Beeson, is an unexpected twist to The Twelve Days of Christmas. It is clear that the writer holds a nasty grudge as he sends his worst enemy crude and unwanted gifts, gifts fit for the garbage.

"On the first night of Christmas I gave my enemy 

a briar from a tanglewood tree. 

On the second night of Christmas I gave my enemy 

two rotten eggs."

Each night the gifts multiply - shards of glass, rusty nails, and more.  How would the writer's enemy feel after receiving these horribly offensive gifts?  Become angry?  Hurt?  Want revenge?

His response will surprise the reader and showcase the true meaning of Christmas!  An act of forgiveness and a reminder of Jesus, who was sent as a sacrifice for our sins.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him, shall not perish but have eternal life.

My Thoughts:  This is a unique take on a traditional Christmas song. I loved the raw black and white pictures throughout and the special meaning at the end. 

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Amazon.  A Rare Nativity comes in a beautiful hardbound book for just $16.19.  You can also find out more at Shadow Mountain Publishing.  

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©2010-2015 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

NIV Bible for Teen Girls Review and Giveaway!!

NIV Bible for Teen Girls is just that...a Bible designed just for teen girls ages 13-18.  It's packed with daily readings, highlighted promises of God, challenging insights, smart advice, and open discussions about the realities of life.

A Bible designed to help teen girls grow in faith, hope, and love!

NIV Bible for Teen Girls is beautifully hardbound with a cover girls will enjoy and a format that is easy to read and understand.

Some features that I like:

* Clear and simple Book Introductions

* 50 Character Profiles of Women of the Bible

* Daily Devotions for Growing in Faith Hope and Love. Many of these are written by popular Christian female authors including Bethany Hamilton, Annie Downs, and more.

* Highlighted verses worth remembering throughout

* A Topical Index and Concordance

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Zondervan.  The NIV Bible for Teen Girls is just $29.99 and would make a wonderful gift!  You can also find Zondervan on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY

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©2010-2015 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Chewy.com: Nature's Variety Prairie Biscuits

Maisy found another great treat that she loves!  Nature's Variety Prairie Biscuits. They come in several flavors but since it's fall, she decided to go for the Pumpkin and Cranberries.

Key Benefits

• All natural, oven-baked biscuits
• Delicious flavor combination of pumpkin and cranberries
• Made without wheat, corn, soy, artificial preservatives, flavors or colors
• Perfect bite-sized treats for all dog sizes to enjoy
• Made in the USA

The ingredients are simple:  Oatmeal, barley, tapioca, pumpkin, cranberries, canola oil, turkey meal, montmorillonite clay, ground flaxseed, natural flavor, cinnamon, cloves, mixed tocopherols (preservative), citric acid (preservative), rosemary extract.

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Chewy.com.  Nature's Variety Prairie Biscuits are just $6.99 for a 1.12 lb bag and are great for all size dogs.

Chewy.com has a 100% Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee. If you're not 100% completely satisfied for any reason whatsoever, return it! They will accept packages within 365 days of the sale date for a complete refund and pay for the return shipping, as long as the product is not used or expired. 

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Costume Discounters: Mad Hatter Costume Review

As Funny Bunny gets older, it's getting harder and harder to find appropriate clothing for her. Many times we are out shopping for hours and only come home with a shirt or two.

It's also getting harder to find an appropriate Halloween costume for her, and on top of that, finding one that she likes. We've given up on the local stores. There are just not enough options.

That's why I'm thankful for online stores like Costume Discounters!  They have a huge selection and every costume I've ever ordered has fit perfectly.

After extensive searching, my daughter decided on, ordered, and received the cutest costume from Costume Discounters in the mail!!

If you can't tell, it's a Mad Hatter Costume. :)  It's a little funky, but she says it's really comfortable and I like that it keeps her covered and it appropriate for her age. It will also be great whether it's cold or hot out. She is thinking of something crazy I can do with her hair, along with some fun makeup.

If you are trying to think of ideas for Halloween 2015, go on over to Costume Discounters and check out their selection. Browsing was easy with their categories and shipping was very fast. We received it at our home within a few days.

This Mad Hatter Costume came with a dress with attached neck tie, hat, leggings, spat shoe covers, and glovelettes. All that for just $31.99

They also offer a Low Price Guarantee and right now they have 20% off all marked items and free shipping on orders over $100 with code D207.

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©2010-2015 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Mighty Mug Review and Giveaway!

Now I've seen it all!  I just had the opportunity to review the coolest product ever!  A must-have for anyone who takes drinks on the go, whether coffee or water!

It's the Mighty Mug!

The Mighty Mug "is the world's only mug that grips to your desk when knocked into, but lifts naturally."

You really have to see it to believe it, so here is a short video showing how the mug works.

Pretty neat, huh?!

The Mighty Mug is currently available in a 16oz size, which I received, and a smaller 11oz, which fit under most single serve coffee machines.

The Mighty Mug has SmartGrip Technology that keeps the mug upright to avoid spills and leaks, is BPA free, car cup holder friendly, and most are dishwasher safe.

They come in variety of colors and the stainless steel is double walled, vacuum-insulated to keep beverages warm for up to 6 hours and cold for up to 12 hours.

My daughter and I thought we would make our own video to test it out. See it below. :)  We were impressed that nothing we did was able to tip it over.  Hubby was pretty impressed too. We've never seen anything like it. 

GIVEAWAY!!

Win a FREE Mighty Mug!  One lucky winner chosen at random will receive a $30 gift card to purchase their very own Mighty Mug!

Click Win a FREE Mighty Mug to enter!

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at the Mighty Mug.  Mugs range from $16.99 to $24.99.

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©2010-2015 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Olympia Tools Pack-n-Roll 48 Pocket Foldable Cart Review

Funny Bunny started Challenge A in Classical Conversations this month.  Her class covers six subjects and meets once a week.  Each Tuesday she has to bring all her books and binders to class, which is on the second floor of the building where we meet.  I knew there was no way she was going to fit all of her books in a backpack and be able to carry it to class. So I started the hunt for the perfect rolling cart.

After what seemed like hours of searching, I came across a foldable rolling cart with pockets! The Olympia Tools Pack-n-Roll 48 Pocket Foldable Cart.

This was exactly what I was looking for.  I wanted a cart that could fold down for storage but also easily assemble when I want to use it.  I also LOVE the heavy duty canvas organizer that it comes with.  The organizer simply fits inside the cart and over the sides.  It adds a ton of storage!

The telescopic handle is easy to use.  Simply push a button to extend it. The cart also includes removable rails for hanging legal and letter size files.  I also love that the canvas organizer has a lid that can be pulled over the top to cover the contents inside.  We get afternoon storms quite a bit and I was definitely looking for something with a cover.

We have packed this cart full and she hasn't had any trouble rolling it to and from class.  It is 15' x 17" x 16" in size and folds down to 3" thick for storage.  I'm not sure of the maximum weight that it can carry, but as you can see, we have it full of books and it has handled it perfectly.

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Olympia Tools and purchase it on Amazon. It's on sale right now for $52.92 plus shipping. Make sure to watch the video while you are there.

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©2010-2015 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Apologetics Study Bible for Students Review & Giveaway

If you are looking for a student study Bible that will ground your child in truths of Scripture and equip them with responses to difficult questions, look no further!

The HCSB Apologetics Study Bible for Students is your answer!  This is a wonderful study Bible for students and all its information is laid out in an organized and easy to understand manner.

This Bible includes a ton of features:

* Holman Christian Standard Bible {HCSB} - a clear contemp English translation
* Includes Book Introductions for each of the 66 books of the Bible
* Study Notes that provide evidence of the reliability and truthfulness of Scripture
* 120 Articles written by leading Christian thinkers dealing with life's questions
* 60 Twisted Scriptures that address ways religious movements distort Scripture
* 50 Bones & Dirt which feature archaeological discoveries
* 50 Notable Quotes from influential people throughout history
* 25 Tactics that will equip students to withstand opposition to Christianity
* 20 Personal Stories that will encourage and strengthen readers in their faith
* 20 Top Five bullet point lists that help students to remember significant apologetics topics

The Bible we received has a beautiful hardbound cover and very student friendly. My favorite sections in this Bible are the Book Introductions and Twisted Scripture.  It's chocked full of information with just about every page turn. My daughter and I can really dig deep into topics that are either confusing or ones she just wants more information about.

If you have questions about certain Bible Truths, there are some additional Partner Resources online. Sean McDowell has shared 16 teaching videos that help answer some tough questions.  Is Jesus the Only Way? If God made the Universe, then who made God? How do I know God's will for my life? These videos are short and very helpful and informative.

You can also enter to win a free Bible, a mini Apologetic library, or even a free trip for two to NCAA in the Confident Faith Sweepstakes online!

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Apologetics Bible.  The HCSB Apologetics Study Bible for Students is $34.99 for the hardcover and $22.99 for the paperback.

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Passport2Purity Getaway Kit Review

It's the summer before Junior High.  Yes, we homeschool, but starting in August Funny Bunny will be in a co-op with other 7th graders and she will move up to Youth at church with 7th-12th graders.  I want her to be prepared and equipped for whatever situations she may face.

I had been researching the best resource to use when I came across Passport2Purity by Family Life. Passport2Purity equips parents with a step-by-step God centered program that ensures a life-changing weekend with your preteen.

Now my daughter is very resistant to "growing up".  She wants to stay young forever and still loves to "play" with her dolls.  I'm very thankful for that!  I recognize, however, that she is living in a very different world than I grew up in.  Regardless of her resistance to hearing about how her body is changing, boys, dating, and peer pressure, she needs to know about it. We had already discussed a few things, but there were still some very important topics I had avoided until now.

Passport2Purity covers it all and takes the pressure off the parents.

The Getaway Kit includes:

* 1 Tour Guide for the parent
* 1 Travel Journal for the preteen including 25 follow-up devotions
* 8 CDs containing 5 sessions, scripture memory songs and downloadable MP3s

The Sessions are as follows:

* Session 1: Beginning the Journey - Challenges, Traps, and Choices
* Session 2: Running with the Herd - Friendships and Peer Pressure
* Session 3: Ready for an Upgrade? - Changes to Him, Changes to Her
* Session 4: Destination: Le Pure - Setting Boundaries
* Session 5: Crossing the Date Line - Seeing Dating Differently

A Friday night to Saturday night is recommended to complete the program, but due to our schedule, I planned our trip out a little differently.  I booked one night at a nearby hotel and our trip lasted from a Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon.  We listened to the CDs together, she worked on her journal, we talked, completed the projects, and we shopped, ate dinner out, and spent a late night watching a movie and painting nails.

Below you can see Funny Bunny is coloring in her journal while we listen to the CDs.  Notice the chocolate bar and Vitamin Water.  Two of her favorite things! The morning concluded with breakfast and a Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino. :)

We had a fun time, but there was definitely some resistance, especially during Session 3.  Once that was behind us though, it was smooth sailing.  We had a lot of great conversation and it is a time that we will always remember.

To learn more about Passport2Purity, watch the video below.

Find out More:  You can find out more about Passport2Purity online at Family Life.  The Passport2Purity Getaway Kit is $39.99 but I'm excited to share that my readers are able to get 25% off with the code PASSPORT through 8/31/15.

You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

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©2010-2015 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/

Memoria Press Henle Latin I Review

We are starting Classical Conversations next month.  Funny Bunny will be in Challenge A.  She is so excited to start this new journey and up for the challenges that will come with it.

One of the subjects she will be learning is Latin.  We are not strangers to Latin and she has studied it in one form or another since Kindergarten.  Some years used a full curriculum and others were more of a review.

Next month she will be starting in her first year of Henle Latin.  It's my understanding that this first year Latin program is for high school students, so she will actually take three years to complete the first book.

Over the past few months we have been getting familiar with these books and have completed some lessons.  Not only is the content challenging, but so is the layout of the lessons.  It can get very confusing.

So that's why I was excited to receive the Memoria Press Henle Latin I Study Guides and Quizzes & Tests.  There are three Study Guides and three Quizzes and Tests booklets.  The first covers units 1 and 2, the next covers units 3-5, and the last includes units 6-14.

The Study Guides break down each weekly lesson into easy to manage sections and they also contain helpful study aids like how to make vocabulary and grammar cards.  The best part about the study guide is that is has all the answers to the Henle Latin Exercises, which is wonderful because the Henle Latin book does not have complete answers, and it can be frustrating.

The Quizzes and Tests books have a quiz for each week, along with tests, a final exam and the answer keys.

I'm already loving the look of these books and I can't wait to really get started using them next month!

Find Out More:  You can find out more online at Memoria Press.  The Memoria Press Henle Latin Study Guides are $14.95 each and the Quizzes and Tests booklets are $9.95 each. You can also purchase the Henle Latin First Year books through Memoria Press.  The Text is $16.95, the Grammar Book is $9.50, and the Answer Key is $5.  You can see a sample of each at the link above.

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Hillsong United Empires CD Giveaway!!

EMPIRES is the story of two worlds. Our prayer and desire has been to simply create the most honest project we could. Songs that seek to listen first, and then with God’s breath speak the good news reality of Jesus and His grace into the dichotomy, tension and hopeful-collision of this broken and fragile world we see here and now, and the unshakable and mysterious reality of the Kingdom we can’t see, but no-less know is here - and NOW.

We really love Hillsong United at our house. "Oceans {Where Feet May Fail}" is a favorite!! That's why I was so excited to get Hillsong United's newest CD, Empires. It just released May 26th, so go out and get yours too.

You also have a chance to win their new CD below!!

GIVEAWAY

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The Case of the Cursed Dodo Book Review

Review by Funny Bunny:

The Case of the Cursed Dodo: A Jungle Noir, by Jake G. Panda, is an exciting action-packed fiction book about a mysterious suitcase, endangered animals, rats, birds, bears, hares, and, of course, a panda - Jake G. Panda, to be exact!

The Case of the Cursed Dodo leads Jake all across the world, where he finds a lost suitcase and inside it a mysterious carving of a jade dodo. It's up to Jake to keep it safe from animals that want to take it, like a no-good pack of rats and a sticky-fingered salamander and his partner, a crocodile.

He also needs to rescue his friend, a buzzard named Daisy, before it's too late. And on top of all this, can the Jade Dodo help Jake recover the last remaining dodo birds?

I really enjoyed The Case of the Cursed Dodo! I loved it because it was funny and full of action.

I especially liked the "jungle noir" style writing. It was written with enough suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat. The way it was written also made me feel like I was in a movie theater, watching the scenes unfold, and this book would make a really great movie, too! The climax was exciting and the ending surprised me.

The last chapter sort of suggested that another book is going to be written. I really hope one will be - because I can't wait! The Case of the Cursed Dodo was a wonderful book, one of my favorites, and I really enjoyed it!

Find Out More: You can find out more online at The Endangered Files, where you can watch the book trailer or purchase a copy for yourself.  The Case of the Cursed Dodo: A Jungle Noir is just $3.99 for Kindle or $9.99 for paperback.

You can also follow on Facebook or Twitter.

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©2010-2015 Our Homeschool Reviews. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.com/